‘Mother Earth’ in charge of ag budget?

A threat to Minnesota agriculture? That’s how the Minnesota Republican Party sees the decision to put the agriculture finance budget under the jurisdiction of Minneapolis DFL Rep. Jean Wagenius.

The GOP called Wagenius a “Mother Earth feminist” and House GOP leaders unsuccessfully tried to change the committee jurisdiction.Wagenius downplayed the complaints, saying her job will be to finance the Department of Agriculture and that they’ll get a solid budget. –Tom Scheck and Tim Pugmire

Special elections ordered

Gov. Dayton ordered two special elections for open Minnesota House seats. He ordered the special elections in the St. Cloud area and the N. Mankato / St. Peter to be held on Feb. 12. Primaries, if necessary, will be held on Jan. 29.

There have been 17 special elections in the Minnesota Legislature since 2004. DFLers won 13 of those races. GOP won four races. –Tom Scheck

NRA president to talk criminal justice

The Center of the American Experiment and others organizations are hosting a forum on crime issues next week in St. Paul. The event is titled “The Conservative case for Criminal Justice Reform.” The list of scheduled speakers includes David Keene, president of the National Rifle Association. — Tim Pugmire